A nationally-recognized voice in supporting walkability is scheduled to be in Russellville this week to perform a walkability audit.

Dan Burden, co-founder and director of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, will be in Russellville on Thursday to conduct a walking audit and discuss how to implement projects that support active living and walkability, as well as why it’s important and how it can be achieved in Russellville.

Burden is an authority on bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs with more than 25 years experience in developing, promoting and evaluating alternative transportation facilities, traffic-calming practices and sustainable community design. TIME magazine in 2001 named him “one of the six most important civic innovators in the world.”

A public presentation with a question-and-answer session will be conducted from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Main Street Russellville (MSR) will host Burden’s appearance. MSR Director Betsy McGuire said a last-minute opportunity to have Burden come to Russellville presented itself when she learned he was going to be in the Batesville area for another engagement this week.

She said she is excited to have him come to Russellville.

“I’ve had the opportunity to hear him once and do one of the walking audits he conducts in Rogers,” she said.

“He’s just so common sense, and he really talks about all those things we talk about regarding healthy living and healthy communities and how that ties in to walkability and accessibility.”